The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) is among the first utilities in the nation to achieve the Directors Award in the Partnership for Safe Water’s Distribution System Optimization Program.

OWASA serves 80,000 people in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community, the home of the University of North Carolina. OWASA’s water distribution system includes 380 miles of pipes that daily deliver water to and support fire protection for residents, businesses, schools, health care facilities and other institutions.

OWASA received the award for successfully completing a comprehensive self-assessment of water distribution system operations, a significant achievement towards ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water to the community. The self-assessment includes evaluating distribution system operations and performance, identifying performance-limiting factors, and developing action plans to optimize the distribution system.

The assessment culminates in a final report reviewed by water resources professionals from across the US.

OWASA will be one of three utilities recognized at the annual conference of the American Water Works Association in June, 2013 for earning the Directors Award in the Partnership’s Distribution System Optimization Program.

“As a charter member of the Partnership’s Water Distribution Program, we are honored to be among the first to receive this award,” said Alan Rimer, Chair of the OWASA Board of Directors. “Our goal is to continuously improve our system performance and water quality, and this award is a tangible representation of the fine work our folks do.”

OWASA has participated in the Partnership since 2002, and in 2011 OWASA’s Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant received the Excellence in Water Treatment award, the highest level of recognition for treatment plant performance.